Around the medieval village of Brancion

Park in the castle car park.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the path opposite which goes round the village. Reach the cave known as Four de la Baume and climb the steps to see the entrance.

(1) Head back down and rejoin the path that continues round the village.

(2) About fifty metres before the D159, turn left onto the path leading up to Brancion. This section is steep and can be slippery in wet weather. The path leads into the village via Rue du Paradis. Head up to the left to reach Saint-Pierre Church and the adjoining cemetery. Take a moment to admire the view over the village from the Brancion Chapel, the Chapaize Forest and Mont Saint-Vincent. You should also visit the church to see the Crusaders’ tombs.

(3) Continue around the village to admire the market hall.

(4) Head towards the medieval castle and go back down via the porch. At the bottom, cross the road and take the path opposite leading down to the D14, Route de la Chapaise.

(5) Cross it carefully and follow the path opposite towards the Barbette wash house. Continue to the microlight runway.

(6) Go straight on: after the track, the path leads to a football pitch. Cross it and continue along the access path to rejoin the GR®76A.

(7) Continue to the right towards Mont Saint-Romain and Les Châtelots. Keep going straight on to enter the Bois sur le Berceau.

(8) First turn left then right to join the straight path leading to a tarmac road at a place called Le Fort d’Ouxy.

(9) Take the road on the left, follow it for about a hundred metres, then leave it to take a path on the left through the woods which rejoins the road further on. Take it to the left for a few dozen metres.

(10) Head back down the path on the left towards Martailly. Keep going straight on towards the Route de Cruzille (D161).

(11) About a hundred metres before reaching it, take the path on the left through the vineyards. When you reach the bend, turn right towards the village of Martailly-lès-Brancion. As you approach the village, carefully cross the D14 to reach the wash house and the source of the Natouze.

(12) Take the small path then turn right onto Rue de la Résistance towards the town hall and the fountain.

(13) Continue straight ahead. Carefully cross the Route de Brancion again. Turn left onto it for a few dozen metres, then turn right onto the Chemin de la Barbette. Head down to the right onto the Chemin du Molard, turn left then immediately right to see the Croix Berdanotte.

(14) Turn back, continue right along Rue de la Croix to reach Route de Brancion (D14). Turn right onto it for about twenty metres.

(15) Cross it carefully to walk alongside the cemetery, then, at the three-way junction, head right to follow the path alongside the vineyards. Reach the junction with the GR®76B.

(16) Cross it and continue straight on towards Royer. At the tarmac road, turn right and head towards Route du Mousseau at a place called La Croze.

(17) Take the small path on the left which goes round the village of Royer and leads onto the Route de Brancion (D182).

(18) Cross it carefully and continue straight on towards the cemetery. At the junction, turn left then right after 75 m towards Le Pont and the Col des Chèvres. You will reach a junction at a place called La Noile.

(19) Take the path on the left towards the Col des Chèvres.

(20) Head left to walk alongside the road on the hard shoulder for about 300 m. Leave the road and head left, following the GR®76A via the Chemin des Moines. Continue straight on, following the GR® markings, walk alongside Mont Prevers and reach the junction where the GR®76A and GR®76B meet.

(21) Continue straight on towards Brancion. At the junction, take the GR® on the right to return to the starting car park S/E).